"Imma Be" (CD single) (by The Black Eyed Peas, Hip-hop)

common sense media says

Unedited version might "be" too much for most kids.


parents & educators say
  • 50% say language is an issue

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that they should look for the clean version of this song, because the unedited release is too much for kids. Even though the song is topping the charts and can be heard all around TV and radio, don't assume it's perfectly safe. There are a handful of four-letter words here, as well as a few over-the-top sexual references. Also, take note that the music video features lots of Fergie's lower half in a futuristic leotard.

Positive messages: The message is all about being something that everyone else wants. So although there's a little bragging going on, the message isn't terrible.
Positive role models: The few sexual references connect having women and sex with being a success. Besides that there's the bad grammar, "Imma be a brother, but my name ain't Lehman." Overall, though, the Peas aren't acting disrespectful or negative, just a little pompous.
Sex: There are a few eyebrow-raising lines, like "Imma be f--kin' her," "Imma be a bank, I be loaning out semen."
Language: "S--t" is mentioned several times, along with the n-word and the f-bomb.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: "Sippin' on drinks" is as far as the lyrics go.

More on "Imma Be" (CD single)

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about popular music. Just because a song is a Top 10 download and is being used in commercials and on TV, does it mean that it's safe to listen to?

  • Talk about edited versus explicit versions of songs and albums. Are you allowed to download "clean" versions of iffy music? Is there a stigma to listening to the edited versions of popular music?

  • Talk about bragging in music. Is it good to be a bragger, or can that get old with friends? What's the difference between being confident and being cocky?

What's the story?

What's the story?

"IMMA BE" is one of the numerous successful tracks off of The Black Eyed Peas' 2009 release The E.N.D. (Energy Never Dies). It finds the pop/hip-hop group dishing out what makes them great and how much cooler they're going to be. The video is an epic (nearly 10 minute) sci-fi production that's not to be overlooked, although parents should be aware that it features lots of Fergie's lower half in a futuristic leotard.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

This the Black Eyed Peas doing what they do best: mixing hot dance beats with loopy, irreverent rhymes. Although far from the best single off of their hit album, this song does deliver a great hook that's hard to shake. You'll be sure to be singing "Imma be, Imma be" for many hours after listening to this track. And there are worse songs to have stuck in your head. Staccato beats along with futuristic audio effects make the song pleasantly modern. Just make sure to get the edited version since the original one is filled with profanity and sexual references.

Music themes & details

Music Details
Released on: February 28, 2010
Label: Interscope Records
Genre: Hip-hop
Parental advisory: Yes
Edited version available: Yes

This review was written by Jacqueline Rupp
 
 

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What parents & educators say

15
Based on 4 parent & educator reviews:
  • 50% say language is an issue

Most useful reviews by all members

a random guy
kid, 12 years old
 
it is innapropriate, but your bound to hear it somewhere at talent shows, in restraunts, and other places.
Ok, if its so bad how come they played it at my 4th grade talent show? my mom listend to it at home and said it has way too many bad words, and i heard about 9-11 in the talent show, mostly s--t.

MeTheCrazyOne99
kid, 13 years old
 
Imma be imma be imma be be be LOL
I love this song! Catchy and amazing! But there is two uses of "s..t" NOT SEVERAL USES, and "F*ckin" He says "imma be f---in her" which is both profane and sexual. And "sippin on drinks" is not bad. How do you know what drink she means, did she specify it? No. This song is awesome.

movie dude
kid, 12 years old
 
this music is totally radical!!!!!
the best song ever!!!!!!!!!!black eyed peas u rock!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

sk8r boy
kid, 10 years old
 
Iffy for 9+
I listen to the music and I didn't hear the f-word but I heard s--t a few times. It's still ok.

MovieLover1222
teen, 16 years old
 
Love,Love,Love this song!
I know a lot of people who say this song is annoying, repetitive, and many other things. But I LOVE this song. Yeah, it's repetitive and for a while was overplayed on the radio, but what song isn't?

ilovecookiez
teen, 14 years old
 
This song is fine for kids.
Sure this song said f--k. But I didn't know that until I looked up the lyrics, so as long as kids don't listen to the lyrics very well, they can handle this fine. And yes, they said "sh-t" and "n-gga" but for starters, kids ALREADY say sh-t, and kids have never heard the word n-gga, and even if they did, I doubt they'd ever get in a situation where they'd say that. So bam.

 
ok single is profane

skull5
teen, 17 years old
 
imma b
imma b rockin that bass trad. i think that's what it says!!!!! if not it still a killer song.

sierra patterson
teen, 16 years old
 
i love it

fuchick888
kid, 13 years old
 
ADDICTING song for mature tweens and most teens
Good if you are very mature tween (like me) or a teen. my friends and i ? this song and jam out, and we even facebook about this song!!! my pal lexi even puts on this song thru the phone!!

uhya
teen, 13 years old
 
good song spoiled a bit with n-words and s-words

uh duh
kid, 11 years old
 
M rated langauge

cookie14
teen, 14 years old
 
its for anyone
whoever says Its too much for little kids is outta there mind

Squid Kid
kid, 13 years old
 
Gross
I'm a huge Black-Eyed Peas fan, but this song is awful. It use a lot of swears, including the N-Word and I think one F-Bomb.

teamjacobgirl2.0
teen, 17 years old
 
Imma Be
This song rocks!! Great song and I can't see anything wrong with it that would make it anything worst then On +2

MeTheCrazyOne99TWO
teen, 14 years old
 
love it
I love this song. It's my favorite by the BEP. But language includes a mumbled "f--k", and several uses of "sh--", and "n---er". So catchy! But he mumbles "Imma be f--kin her".

flip-lego version
kid, 11 years old
 
explicit
Its really explicit. Almost as much as Over, but not quite.

man first
parent of 18 year old
 
love it

MetaMarthMario
teen, 16 years old
 
On for 21+
5 uses of f--k, 13 shits, talking about orgasms and semen.

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age